Hip surgery involves replacing a damaged hip joint with an artificial joint. The doctor may recommend hip surgery when medications, changes in everyday activities and the use of assistive devices do not provide relief from hip pain. Hip surgery reduces pain and improves mobility in most people. Hip surgery is generally safe, but as with any surgery, certain complications can occur.
Blood Clots
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, blood clots in the leg veins or pelvis are the most common complication of hip surgery. Blood clots in the leg veins develop from injury to the veins during surgery and as a result of decreased movement of the leg after surgery. The injured vein may create a blockage causing the blood to collect and clot at the site of injury. Decreased movement of the leg results in a diminished flow of blood to that area. The blood clots as a result of insufficient circulation. The surgeon may prescribe one or more measures to prevent blood clots from forming in the leg veins. These measures may include special support hose or compression stockings, inflatable leg coverings, ankle pump exercises and blood thinners.
Embolism
Embolisms can occur as a complication of hip surgery if blood clots develop. An embolism refers to a blood clot that breaks away from its original spot of origin, and then circulates throughout the body to lodge in another place. An embolism doesn’t display symptoms until it has blocked an artery or vein. A blood clot that has traveled to the lungs can cause a pulmonary embolism, explains St. Mary’s Health System. A person with symptoms of a pulmonary embolism should seek emergency medical care quickly because it can lead to death. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, sweating and confusion.
Infection
All surgeries include a risk of infection, including hip surgery. Infections can occur at the incision site and in the deeper tissue near the new hip, reports MayoClinic.com. Antibiotic therapy treats most infections, but a major infection near the prosthesis, or the artificial hip, may require surgery to remove and replace the prosthesis in order to successfully treat it. Symptoms of infection include increased swelling and redness at the incision site; a change in the consistency of drainage from the incision site such as in the color or amount; an unpleasant odor from the incision site; increased pain in the hip; and a fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fracture
The healthy portions of the hip joint may fracture during surgery, according to MayoClinic.com. Small fractures can heal on their own, but larger fractures may require the use of wires, cables or bone grafts to correct it. The surgeon usually repairs the fractures during the hip surgery.
